Dumped: Greens rejoice as council rejects plans for giant incinerator

Published on Tuesday 1 September 2009 22:07

PLANS for a controversial giant incinerator have been refused permission by a local council.

Viridor Waste Management's plans to construct the "energy from waste" incinerator in Oxwellmains near Dunbar, were unanimously voted down yesterday by East Lothian Council.

The plans for the plant – which would have been the joint-largest incinerator in Scotland, dealing with 300,000 tonnes of waste each year – had met with considerable opposition from local residents and environmental groups.

However, the 12 councillors went against the advice of their own planning officers, and Sepa (the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), which had both recommended approving Viridor's application. More than 60 letters were sent to East Lothian Council opposing the plans, with locals concerned about issues to do with transport, impact on local amenities and potential health concerns.

The decision follows Highland Council's rejection last month of a similar project in Invergordon.

The Greens welcomed the decision, saying the plant would have tied the local authority into providing regular and long-term quantities of rubbish, which would undermine efforts to recycle and reduce waste.

MSP Robin Harper said: "Large-scale incineration, whether or not it's dressed up as renewable power, can have no place in Scotland's efforts to move towards a zero-waste society. The tide is turning against this kind of project, with two of the worst schemes now having been rejected in less than a month."

Local campaigner Abbie Marland added: "This is entirely the right decision. East Lothian is capable of developing far more appropriate solutions to the issue of waste, and we support the council in their efforts to find the best possible environmental option which will benefit both people and place."

However, Viridor's Scottish regional manager, Steven Don, said he was disappointed by the decision.

"Despite a recognition of need, Sepa describing the proposal as the 'best practical environmental option', and a strong recommendation for approval from East Lothian Council professional officers, Viridor is disappointed that councillors chose to refuse our application.

"With ambitious Scottish and European zero waste targets, we need both increased recycling and smarter ways of managing residual waste. While this decision will inevitably delay our journey to sustainability, we will be reviewing our position in due course."

A spokesman for East Lothian Council said they were expecting an appeal.

"In this case, the likelihood is it will now go to the Scottish ministers and will be the subject of a local inquiry," he said.